17 Best Ways to Get Rid Of a Sore Throat (Remedies That Actually Work)

A sore throat often manifests itself regarding irritation, itchiness, and pain in the vocal codes.

Primarily, you will feel pain when you have a sore throat.

Trying to swallow liquid and solid foods can be a problem. That is in addition to feeling way too uncomfortable, even while breathing.

When you have a sore throat, it could indicate an impending sore throat, a strain in the vocal cords or something serious.

It is one of the ways your body responds to a bacterial or viral infection. As part of the natural immune response, the throat’s mucous membranes swell due to inflammation. This results in a sore throat.

So what’s the best way to get rid of a sore throat?

Basically, you don’t need to see a doctor merely because you have a sore throat. There are some things you can do to get relief from a sore throat.

If you leave it unattended, a sore throat can prevent you from enjoying things as small as a good night’s sleep.

Try the following:

1. Honey

Although known as a natural sweetener, honey has medicinal properties which make it great for fighting a sore throat.

You can mix the honey in warm tea to help give relief to a sore throat. Honey is known to relieve pain and to give the other sore throat remedies a good taste.

You may also combine honey with herbs, apple cider vinegar or warm water. Since it is a known wound healer, honey can truly heal a sore throat.

Such children do not have healthy bacteria in their guts. Some of these bacteria could be introduced into their guts through honey and drive the body into a state of confusion.

If you are on a low-carb diet, steer clear of honey, which is a source of sugar.

2. Salt Water

For what may seem like ages, people have been gargling with salt water as a remedy to a sore throat.

Salt diffuses water from the tissues of your throat thus helping reduce swelling. Salt also kills some types of microbes in the throat.

Take 1 teaspoon of salt and dissolve it in a full cup of warm water. Gargle the salt solution several times a day in three-hour intervals. In no time, your throat shall be cleaned up and the soreness relieved.

3. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea has naturally soothing properties, the reason it has featured as a medicinal remedy.

You can use it to soothe a sore throat. To help you heal quickly, chamomile tea promotes restful sleep.

It has also been established to have the ability to reduce pain and fight infection. This is due to its astringent, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Peppermint is an essential oil and should be mixed in a carrier oil. You may want to use coconut oil, sweet almond oil or olive oil.

Alternatively, you may use it to make peppermint tea, which is caffeine-free and naturally sweet. Take fresh peppermint leaves and steep them for between 3 and 5 minutes.

Strain the leaves, and you have yourself a fresh cup of tea.

5. Lemon Water

You can use lemon water to get rid of an incessant sore throat due to the flu or cold.

Lemon juice contains a lot of antioxidants and vitamin C which are useful in fighting a cold.

When it gets into the mouth, lemon water stimulates the production of more saliva which moistens the mucous membrane.

Lemon water mixed with some honey is the best way to get rid of a sore throat due to a cold or flu.

6. Marshmallow Root

For centuries, people have used the marshmallow root to treat conditions such as a sore throat.

Marshmallow root contains a substance that looks like mucus. Its work is to coat and soothe a sore throat. Most tablets with marshmallow root are effective and less toxic.

To make marshmallow tea, take some dried root and add it into a cup of boiling water. Drink the tea between one and three times a day.

Make sure you only use dried marshmallow root of the highest quality. Since this has been a sore throat remedy for a long time, you can trust marshmallow to soothe you.

7. Licorice Root

Licorice root is originally from South Asia and Europe where it has been used to treat various conditions. To relieve a sore throat, licorice works the same way as aspirin.

Before using it, mix licorice root in water to create a solution for gargling. Despite that, there is no evidence to show that licorice root can relieve a sore throat due to illness.

You can use licorice root to make tea or a drink for gargling.

To make the tea, put licorice root into hot water and allow steeping for 5 minutes. Strain and drink.

Some of the individuals who should avoid drinking tea made from licorice root include pregnantand nursing mothers.

8. Slippery Elm

Slippery elm contains a mucus-like compound akin to that in marshmallow root.

Mixing it with water leads to the formation of a smooth gel which lubricates and relieves a sore throat. Take some powdered slippery elm bark and put it in a container.

Pour hot water over it and stir. Drink when it is cool enough. Due to its unique properties, slippery elm has been used to make tablets.

It is the best way to get rid of a sore throat due to the flu and cold. If you are on medication, avoid using slippery elm, since it may interfere with how the other medication is absorbed.

10. Apple Cider Vinegar

As a natural health tonic, apple cider vinegar (ACV) has for centuries been used for medicinal purposes. It is an effective antibacterial, given the acetic acid in it.

Apart from soothing a sore throat, it helps fight infections. Acetic acid breaks down mucus and prevents bacteria from multiplying. Thus it is the best way to get rid of a sore throat due to a bacterial infection.

To get rid of a sore throat, put 1 or 2 teaspoons of ACV in a cup of water.

After mixing the solution, gargle it. Down your throat. After gargling, take a tiny sip of the solution repeat. Do that between 1 and 3 times in an hour. Stay properly hydrated in the periods intervening the gargling sessions.

11. Garlic

Garlic is one of the herbs with the ability to naturally fight bacteria.

The allicin in garlic is a compound with an established ability to fight all sorts of infections. According to the results of several research studies, garlic has been established to be able to fight the virus that causes the common cold.

That makes garlic the best way to get rid of a sore throat due to a cold or the flu.

You can add garlic to your diet to benefit from its antimicrobial properties. That makes it a good pick when it comes to healing a sore throat.

Apart from including it in your diet, you may want to munch the clove. Only that the strong smell and enzymes in garlic may not be good for your breath and teeth. Brush your teeth immediately after eating garlic.

12. Ginger Root Tea

Commonly used as a spice, ginger has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which makes it great for relieving pain in the throat.

It is the best way to get rid of a sore throat due to a bacterial infection. Using ginger extract has been shown to kill the bacteria behind the infection.

It, therefore, gets rid of a sore throat by dealing with the root cause of the problem. Use ground ginger root to make tea which can be served cold or hot.

You may also want to use fresh ginger root to make the tea.

13. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is used in various recipes to make delicious food. It has been established to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and pain relief properties.

It soothes a sore throat by lubricating the mucous membrane. You may use it by adding a spoonful to hot cocoa, tea or soup. The alternative is to put the coconut oil in your mouth and let it flow down the throat.

Do not take more than 30 ml or 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a single day, since it acts as a laxative in higher dosages.

To prevent the development of side-effects, start by taking only one teaspoon of coconut oil if you are doing it for the first time.

14. Cinnamon

As a delicious and fragrant spice, cinnamonis used in all kinds of recipes. It contains high amounts of antioxidants and also has antibacterial properties.

It has been used traditionally to treat flu and colds. That makes it the best way to get rid of a sore throat due to the flu or cold.

You can use it to prepare cinnamon tea, which you will then drink to get relief from a sore throat. You will find it in a grocery store near you either as black or herbal tea.

As an alternative to the tea, you can mix the cinnamon with almond milk.

15. Proper Hydration

The last thing on your mind when you have a sore throat is to drink fluids. Water and other fluids play an important role in hydrating the mucous membrane.

This not only soothes the sore throat bit also ensures it heals fast. Drink without giving it much of a thought as to how uncomfortable swallowing fluids can be.

Some of the fluids you can drink to make you feel better to include water, herbal infusions, tea, and other beverages. Remember that a moist throat heals faster.

16. Chicken Soup

Chicken soup has been used traditionally as a remedy for colds. It is the best way to get rid of a sore throat due to a cold.

When sick, you may not want to eat anything else than chicken soup. In the process, it supplies your body with all the fluids it requires to fight a sore throat.

To improve its bioactive characteristics add some garlic into the soup. Apart from soothing the sore throat, it will help promote fast healing.

To remove the hassle from the preparation process, buy canned chicken soup and keep it in readiness for the right moment. If you don’t like ready-made foods, prepare some chicken soup at home.

17. Lozenges

If some of the remedies suggested here fail to work, you may want to try a tablet. Most of the lozenges you will find at the drugstore contains menthol, which numbs the throat tissues.

If you have been feeling pain and irritation in your throat, menthol can help give you the much-needed relief. Candies taken in smaller numbers have a similar effect.

Here is how they work. Cough drops and candy work by stimulating the production of more saliva to help lubricate the throat.

But this effect is only temporary. Using medicated lozenges helps promote healing and permanently gets rid of a sore throat.

Take some of the herbs discussed here and use them to make tablets at home. No matter the combination you choose, include slippery elm to lubricate and heal your throat.

Conclusion

Everyone is going to experience a sore throat no matter their health status. Using some of the methods discussed here, you will be able to get well sooner. If a sore throat persists, seek medical attention. There could be a deep-seated cause that you must first address.